TITUS
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Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
for the sake of the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that is
in accordance with godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who never
lies, promised before the ages began-- 3 in due time he revealed his word
through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God
our Savior, 4 To Titus, my loyal child in the faith we share: Grace and peace
from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 I left you behind in Crete
for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to be done, and
should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you: 6 someone who is
blameless, married only once, whose children are believers, not accused of
debauchery and not rebellious. 7 For a bishop, as God's steward, must be
blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or
violent or greedy for gain; 8 but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness,
prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled. 9 He must have a firm grasp of
the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be
able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
1>0 There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially
those of the circumcision; 1>1 they must be silenced, since they are upsetting
whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach. 1>2 It
was one of them, their very own prophet, who said, "Cretans are always liars,
vicious brutes, lazy gluttons." 1>3 That testimony is true. For this reason
rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, 1>4 not paying
attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. 1>5
To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is
pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. 1>6 They profess to know
God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit
for any good work.
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But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. 2
Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in
love, and in endurance. 3 Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in
behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is
good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to
love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the
household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may
not be discredited. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7
Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show
integrity, gravity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any
opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. 9 Tell slaves
to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect;
they are not to talk back, 1>0 not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect
fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God
our Savior. 1>1 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 1>2
training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to
live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 1>3 while we wait for
the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ. 1>4 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from
all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good
deeds. 1>5 Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no
one look down on you.
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Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid
quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. 3 For we
ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions
and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one
another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but
according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy
Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our
Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs
according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is sure. I desire that you
insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be
careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and
profitable to everyone. 9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies,
dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and
worthless. 1>0 After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with
anyone who causes divisions, 1>1 since you know that such a person is perverted
and sinful, being self-condemned. 1>2 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do
your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter
there. 1>3 Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way,
and see that they lack nothing. 1>4 And let people learn to devote themselves to
good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.
1>5 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the
faith. Grace be with all of you.
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